Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024
A. Supervised
Practice pursuant to sections
12-315-104(6),
(10), and (10.5), and
12-315-116, C.R.S., means the
supervising licensed veterinarian directs or supervises the authorized
delegated treatment or collection of diagnostic information of a patient.
1. Only a licensed veterinarian in Colorado
may diagnose, prescribe, perform surgery, or initiate treatment.
a. These duties, with the exception of rabies
vaccination administration pursuant to section
12-315-105(1)(q),
C.R.S., cannot be delegated to veterinary personnel other than a veterinary
student or veterinary student preceptor.
b. These duties may be delegated to a
veterinary student or veterinary student preceptor in compliance with section
12-315-116,
C.R.S.
B.
"Direction and supervision" as applied in section
12-315-105(1)(j),
C.R.S., is "direct supervision" as defined in section
12-315-104(6),
C.R.S. Indirect supervision and immediate supervision are applicable under
limited circumstances.
1. Direct supervision
means the supervising licensed veterinarian is readily available on the
premises where the patient is being treated.
2. Immediate Supervision means the
supervising licensed veterinarian and any person being supervised are in direct
contact with the patient as defined in
12-315-104(10)
C.R.S.
3. "Indirect supervision"
means the licensed veterinarian in Colorado may direct or supervise the
authorized delegated treatment or collecting of diagnostic information of a
patient at a "veterinary premises" or "premises" (as defined in section
12-315-104(21),
C.R.S.) without being on the premises and shall not be construed to allow the
establishment of a veterinary-client patient relationship (VCPR) solely by
telephonic or other electronic means under the following criteria:
a. The licensed veterinarian is a practicing
member of the veterinary staff on the premises with responsibilities for the
patient for which the "indirect supervision" of veterinary personnel is being
given;
b. A
veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), as defined in section
12-315-104(19),
C.R.S., has been previously established;
c. The licensed veterinarian must be readily
available for consultation by telephone or other form of immediate
communication;
d. The patient must
be hospitalized or the patient must be undergoing outpatient treatment for a
previously diagnosed medical condition;
e. Orders for treatment, either written or
verbal, to persons who are providing veterinary medical care under "indirect
supervision" must be entered into the patient's medical record; and
f. A suitable written protocol for "indirect
supervision" must be established by the licensed veterinarian designated as
responsible pursuant to section
12-315-122, C.R.S., for each
"veterinary premise."
4.
In a life-threatening emergency, the supervising licensed veterinarian may
provide verbal instructions necessary for stabilizing the patient prior to
examining the patient provided the supervising licensed veterinarian
subsequently and timely examines the patient and documents the instruction
provided in the patient's record.
C. Pursuant to section
12-315-105(1)(j),
C.R.S., veterinary personnel that do not include a "licensed veterinarian" as
defined in section
12-315-104(11),
C.R.S., or a "veterinary student" as defined under section
12-315-104(22),
C.R.S., may perform veterinary medicine duties under the direction and
supervision of a licensed veterinarian who shall be responsible for such
person's performance under, but not limited to, the following conditions:
1. Veterinary personnel may assist in a
surgical procedure under the "immediate supervision" of a licensed veterinarian
as defined in section
12-315-104(10),
C.R.S.
